-
NPS sells Samsung, buys SK shares
The National Pension Service (NPS) cut its stock investments in Samsung Group and Hyundai Motor Group last year, as part of efforts to diversify its portfolio, the pension fund said Sunday. “We have recently decided to decrease the ratio of bonds (amid the U.S. Federal Reserve’s move to pare back…
Read More » -
East Asia
Expats not satisfied with banking services
Korean banks offer various services for foreigners, but many of these are not utilized due to a lack of promotion. Even some fortunate individuals who received loans from Korean banks, including Mike Weisbart, a Canadian, say getting a loan is still a very challenging process, even for permanent residents. “It’s…
Read More » -
Two-faced neighbor
New Japanese textbooks ruin their children’s future Japan’s historical whitewashing reached a new low Friday when Tokyo expanded their targets of distorted education to include elementary schoolchildren. According to a revision added to their history books, Dokdo is Japanese sovereign territory unlawfully occupied by Korea. This is a glaring aggravation…
Read More » -
East Asia
Korean stars grace Hollywood movies
A record number of actors will play major roles in US blockbusters Are Korean actors increasingly wanted in Hollywood, or is it a sheer coincidence that a record number of them will have the opportunity to feature in Hollywood films this year? So far five Korean actors — Lee Byung-hun,…
Read More » -
East Asia
Park faces N. Korea dilemma
Pyongyang threatens nuclear, missile tests President Park Geun-hye has a new dilemma over North Korea. Park made a peace overture to Pyongyang during a recent visit to the German city of Dresden. The North reacted to her “Dresden Doctrine” by firing missiles and threatening nuclear tests. But Park remains calm.…
Read More » -
East Asia
Another NK drone discovered
The third suspected North Korean drone was discovered in a mountainous area on the east coast Sunday. The Ministry of National Defense says it is the same model as one detected in Paju, Gyeonggi Province on March 24. The ministry said that a wild ginseng digger reported the unmanned aerial…
Read More » -
East Asia
Language exchange gathering in vogue
As one walks into a language-exchange meeting at a hip coffee shop in southern Seoul, the youthful energy of people talking resembles the ambience of a high school classroom without a teacher. Language-exchange gatherings are springing up across the country, bringing Koreans and foreigners together in multicultural friendships. Language enthusiasts…
Read More » -
East Asia
Nichkhun, Tiffany are dating
Nichkhun from K-pop band 2PM and Tiffany from Girls’ Generation are dating, their agencies said Friday. JYP Entertainment, Thail and-born Nichkhun’s agency, admitted that the two stars had been close friends in Korea since they first met in the United States and they recently started dating. SM Entertainment, Tiffany’s agency,…
Read More » -
East Asia
Japan adopts absurd claims in textbooks
The Japanese government Friday approved newly revised textbooks for elementary schools claiming that Korea’s easternmost islets of Dokdo are Tokyo’s and they are illegally occupied. Seoul lodged a strong protest, warning the move will further strain relations between the two countries. The foreign ministry called in Japanese Ambassador to Korea…
Read More » -
East Asia
US knows Japan at fault on row with Korea
Korean Ambassador to the U.S. Ahn Ho-young said Friday that Washington is aware that Japan is primarily responsible for the ongoing diplomatic standoff between Korea and Japan. “For the United States, Korea and Japan are two key allies and therefore it is very difficult for Washington to take one’s side,”…
Read More »